CNU big man Biberaj to walk on at ODU

Christopher Newport all-conference post man Nik Biberaj believes that he can compete at the Division I level, and Old Dominion will give him the opportunity.

Biberaj, a skilled 6-foot-7, 225-pound forward, left the Captains after two years and will be a walk-on at ODU next season. He must sit out next season, per transfer rules, and will have two years of eligibility beginning with the 2014-15 season.

"Nik's a kid who, since we signed him, wanted to play at the Division I level," CNU coach John Krikorian said. "We support him and wish him well, and now our focus is on the guys we have who want to contend for a national championship at CNU."

Biberaj was CNU's No. 2 scorer (15.9 ppg) and leading rebounder (9.5 rpg) for last season's USA South champs and NCAA tournament team. He shot .558 from the field and .709 from the foul line, averaging 30 minutes per game.

Once Biberaj informed CNU's coaches of his desire to move up, Krikorian called new ODU coach Jeff Jones, a longtime acquaintance, and asked if Jones would be interested in evaluating him.

ODU assistants Kieran Donohue and Lamar Barrett were familiar with Biberaj, who is from Fairfax. Both were on Jones' previous staff at American. After a workout at ODU, Jones invited Biberaj to walk on as a non-scholarship player.

"He's a guy who certainly could have competed in the Patriot League," Jones said. "There's no question that he can contribute in practice. It's important for him to treat practices as his games as he acclimates to Division I."

Biberaj is more skilled than a typical Division III big man. He possesses post moves, can finish around the basket with both hands and has a good medium-range jump shot. An excellent passer for a big man, he was second on the team in assists last season.

"He has to work hard in the weight room and continue to develop his skills," Jones said. "His focus has to be on helping prepare the guys who can play in games next season. If he's willing to work hard, he does have the chance to challenge for playing time when he becomes eligible."

ODU desperately needs size, even if it's just for practice, as it prepares for its first season in Conference USA. Richard Ross, a 6-7 redshirt junior, and 6-10 redshirt freshman Ekene Anachebe are the biggest returning players. Denzell Taylor, a 6-7 freshman from Canada by way of New Jersey, is part of ODU's incoming freshman class.